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Induction and Mentoring (Tuakana Teina) - beginning teacher FAQs

What is Tuakana Teina?
It's a pilot programme where an experienced, pou tautoko/mentor teacher would be paired up with a (beginning teacher) PCT (Provisionally Certificated Teacher) to support their Induction and Mentoring (I&M) as they progress to Full Certification.

Who can take part?
Any registered teacher who is within their six years of Provisional Certification. ECE, primary, secondary, Māori medium can all be considered. The ideal candidate would be a PCT who is in their second year of their I&M programme but currently without a pou tautoko/mentor. With the support, this PCT, would be able to progress towards meeting the Code of Responsibility and Standards of the Teaching Profession and then apply for Full Certification. But we look at all applications on a case by case basis.

Why is it offered?
There are some PCTs who are not receiving a formal I&M programme because they do not have a pou tautoko/mentor. This will hinder their progress to Full Certification. The Education Council would like to offer mentoring support for those PCTs.

Is it available to me if I already have a pou tautoko/mentor?
No. Not if your pou tautoko/mentor has been appointed and is working with you in a formal I&M programme. But if there have been some changes to your programme and this is no longer in place, you could also apply.

How long is it available for?
The pilot is running until the end of 2019. We will take applications from both mentors and mentees/PCTs until the end of Term 3, 2019. Obviously, if you apply at the end of Term 3, only one term of Induction and Mentoring will be carried out due to the time constraints of this pilot.

Is it available to me if I am long term relieving?
Yes, if your position is for at least 0.5FTE for at least six weeks.

Is it available to me if I am on day relief?
No, you will need to have at least a 0.5 FTE LTR position for at least 6 consecutive weeks.

Where will my mentoring programme take place?
In your educational setting (this includes all learning centres: early childhood, school, Māori medium, bilingual) – the pou tautoko/mentor would come to you.

How many hours a week will the programme take?
It is on an individual basis, but we anticipate around two hours of face-to-face time per week in your educational setting. Ideally, this will include approximately one hour of observation when you are involved in teaching and learning, while the other hour will be taken up with discussion and reflection with your mentor, such as: having pre and post observation meetings, discussing progress about your collation of evidence in relation to your goals/inquiry, appraisal documentation and/or the Standards, professional readings and development opportunities etc.

The ‘discussion and reflection’ time may happen out of work hours ie. at lunch time or after work (particularly in an ECE setting), or be incorporated into your non-contact time if permissible. Some discussion could happen using technology such as Skype etc. Your pou tautoko/mentor will also be available to contact between visits. You will be responsible for doing some of the required work in your own time too of course - some homework!

How will you match me up with a mentor?
This is primarily done geographically i.e. where you are located along with the specific sector you are teaching in – ECE, primary, secondary, Māori medium. It will be dependent on numbers and availability. We are aiming to support as many people as we can within some constraints. There will be a limited number of PCTs that we will be able to provide a pou tautoko/mentor for. All pou tautoko/mentors will go through an application process and be experienced teachers who have worked with PCTs and know how best to support an individual’s needs.

Does my educational setting become involved in this?
Yes, your educational setting will be part of an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that you, your pou tautoko/mentor and your educational setting will enter into to make sure we have a transparent and effective triangulated relationship. This is to make sure you get the best outcomes for you as a PCT.

What support will be offered?
It will be needs based and individual to each pia/mentee/PCT. Ultimately, the support provided will enable you to progress towards gaining Full Certification. Face to face meetings, targeted observations, reflections on practice and productive discussions are all part of the support. This is about support and growth as a teacher - not judgement. This will be accomplished by co-constructing specific leaning goals (potentially using teaching as inquiry) to enable a pia/mentee/PCT to use and create naturally occurring evidence of their practice. This evidence would be linked to and sufficient to reflect each Standard of the Teaching Profession as appropriate to the setting you work in i.e. ECE/primary/secondary/Māori medium.

Do I have to pay?
No, the programme is free of charge.

What happens if my situation changes or I don’t feel supported by the pou tautoko/mentor that is allocated to me?
We are always open to feedback and will try to be flexible. It will be a two-way relationship so establishing this in the first instance is important for achieving positive outcomes. Everyone involved will be treated with integrity and respect. We understand that situations change. The Project Leader of this programme at the Education Council will always be available to talk to if you have any questions or concerns.

I am in a educational setting where I have asked for support but have not been provided with any. What will happen to my Principal/Professional Leader if I apply for this?
We are looking to support PCTs to progress and understand there are many complex reasons for some PCTs not having a formal I&M programme in place. The conversation about why processes are not in place at your educational setting is not the focus of our support. Applications for the programme will remain confidential until we are ready to agree to the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). We will endeavour to work through this so the outcomes are positive for all concerned.

Can I just do it for a few weeks or for only an hour here and there?
How long you have the support in place for is related to the requirement of your PCT process (and the fact we are limited in this pilot to providing the support until the end of 2019). If you only have a term left until you can apply for Full Certification, then this is how much we will provide. If you need longer we will provide a pou tautoko/mentor for longer. It is needs based. The effectiveness of an I&M programme lies with it being a regular and meaningful process, tailored to an individual PCTs needs. Pia/mentees will be expected to meet on a regular basis with their pou tautoko/mentor; once a week where geographically possible (there may be online communication if needed in between visits where educational setting and/or pou tautoko/mentors are located a long distance away). A commitment is required from both the pou tautoko/mentor and the pia/mentee, and this will be monitored on a regular basis.